The Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement is located on the on the second floor of the Shalala Student Center, suite 203. This department offers a variety of services and programs for students from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties who live at home and commute to the University of Miami. For more information, please visit our website.

Great Start Pre-Orientation Program for First-Year Commuter Students

Great Start is an overnight, pre-orientation program designed to promote and emphasize college adjustment and campus involvement opportunities. The program's goal is to help students feel like a part of the University and give them a chance to meet other commuter students. Students who participated in Great Start have said the program greatly contributed to a positive transition from high school to college. Commuter student leaders serve as Program Coordinators, Steering Committee members, and Counselors. Applications are available in the fall on the Great Start website.

Commuter Assistant/Transfer Assistant Program

The Commuter Assistant (CA)/Transfer Assistant (TA) Program provides first-year commuter and incoming transfer students with an experience that mirrors the programs and services offered by Resident Assistants and First Year Fellows to first-year students living on-campus in a Residential College. All first-year commuter students and interested new transfer students will be assigned to a CA or TA group and will begin meeting with this group during New Student Orientation. The CA/TA serves as a mentor, plans programs that will aid commuter or transfer students in their transition to college, and works with the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement to plan, promote, and implement initiatives specifically focused on first-year commuter or incoming transfer students. CAs and TAs release informative newsletters to their student groups and also host a monthly breakfast called “Good Morning, Commuters!” for off-campus students. CAs and TAs are hired during the spring semester.

Association of Commuter Students

The Association of Commuter Students (ACS) is a second home for its members. ACS, a student organization, provides social support, service opportunities, school spirit involvement, and a physical space through which commuters bond with fellow students and to participate in all that the University has to offer. ACS provides its members with a working knowledge of UM that gives them the opportunity to become fully involved in campus life. Brought together by a simple fact of life, commuting to campus, ACS members have forged bonds that extend beyond this commonality. For more information on ACS, visit their website.